Retention mechanism for a forward folding seat assembly

ABSTRACT

A hinge assembly for a folding vehicle seat includes upper and lower arms pivotally coupled to one another between open and closed positions. The lower arm is fixedly coupled to a support surface, such as a vehicle body, and the upper arm is fixedly coupled to a lower surface of a seat pan. A retaining bar is disposed on the lower arm and outwardly extends therefrom. An outwardly opening clip member is disposed on the upper arm. The clip member releasably receives the retaining bar of the lower arm when the upper and lower arms are in the closed position to retain the vehicle seat in a folded down use position.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a retention mechanism, andmore particularly, to a retention mechanism as incorporated into afolding seat assembly to retain a folding seat assembly in a downwardlyfolded use position when unoccupied.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A number of vehicles today provide a flip forward second row seatarchitecture that allows a user to flip the seat portion of a second rowseating assembly using a vehicle-forward rotation to provide improvedcargo space, and also to provide room to allow a seatback assembly torotate forward, thereby providing access to a trunk or cargo space. Someconfigurations rely on an interference between cushion materials of theseat portion and seatback at the bite line therebetween to retain theseat portion in the downward use position during an impact event. Suchinterference may be insufficient for properly retaining an unoccupiedseat portion in a downwardly folded use position. Other retainingconcepts include an inertia latch that is added to a rear riser assemblyof a seat structure that selectively engages during a front impactevent. This solution requires the addition of a mechanism and increasedcost and weight of the overall system. Thus, a need exists to create amore lightweight, cost effective, and integrated solution to retain aseat portion in a downwardly folded use position when unoccupied duringan impact event or other event which may urge a folding seat assemblytoward an upright stowed position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention includes a hinge assembly havingfirst and second arms hingedly coupled to one another between open andclosed positions. An engagement feature is disposed on the first arm andoutwardly extends therefrom. An engagement feature is also disposed onthe second arm. The engagement feature of the first arm is received andreleasably retained in the engagement feature of the second arm when thefirst and second arms are in the closed position.

-   -   first and second arms hingedly coupled to one another and        operable between open and closed positions;    -   an engagement feature disposed on the first arm; and    -   an engagement feature disposed on the second arm configured to        releasably retain the engagement feature of the first arm when        the first and second arms are in the closed position.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a hinge assembly havinga first arm with a retaining bar. A second arm is coupled to the firstarm and operable between open and closed positions relative to the firstarm. A clip member is coupled to the second arm for movement therewith.The clip member moves towards and releasably receives the retaining barof the first arm as the second arm moves to the closed position from theopen position.

Yet, another aspect of the present invention includes a hinge assemblyfor a folding vehicle seat having upper and lower arms pivotally coupledto one another between open and closed positions, wherein the lower armis fixedly coupled to a base member, and further wherein the upper armis fixedly coupled to a seat pan. A retaining bar is disposed on thelower arm and outwardly extends therefrom. An outwardly opening clipmember is disposed on the upper arm. The clip member releasably receivesthe retaining bar of the lower arm when the upper and lower arms are inthe closed position.

These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present inventionwill be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art uponstudying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1A is a front perspective view of a folding seat assembly;

FIG. 1B is a front perspective view of the folding seat assembly of FIG.1A with a seat portion in a forwardly folded upright stowed position;

FIG. 1C is a rear perspective view of the folding seat assembly of FIG.1B;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a seat pan of a folding seatassembly having multiple hinge assemblies coupled thereto;

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of a first arm of a hinge assemblyhaving an engagement feature disposed thereon;

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of a second arm of a hinge assemblyhaving an engagement feature disposed thereon;

FIG. 5A is a top perspective view of the hinge assembly of FIGS. 3 and 4in an open position with the engagement features of FIGS. 3 and 4 shownin a disengaged position;

FIG. 5B is a side elevational view of the hinge assembly and engagementfeatures of FIG. 5A shown in a disengaged position;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the hinge assembly of FIG. 5B withthe engagement features shown in an engaged position;

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of a seatback assembly supported on asupport surface by multiple brackets having upwardly extendingengagement features;

FIG. 8A is a top perspective view of an engagement member having areceive aperture with first and second tabs extending inwardly into thereceiving aperture;

FIG. 8B is a bottom perspective view of the engagement member of FIG.8A;

FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of the seat pan of FIG. 2 with theengagement member of FIG. 8A disposed in a mounting aperture of the seatpan;

FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of an engagement feature of FIG. 7received in the engagement member of FIG. 9 as mounted to the mountingaperture of the seat pan; and

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 1A taken at line XI showingthe engagement feature of FIG. 10 received in a receiving aperture ofthe engagement member of FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,”“left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivativesthereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1A. However,it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternativeorientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It isalso to be understood that the specific devices and processesillustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the followingspecification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive conceptsdefined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and otherphysical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed hereinare not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly stateotherwise.

Referring now to FIG. 1A, a folding seat assembly 10 is shown andcontemplated for use as a second or third row passenger option within avehicle. The folding seat assembly 10 includes a seat portion 12 and aseatback 14. The seat portion 12 is shown in FIG. 1A as having threesections 12A, 12B and 12C. It is contemplated that that seat portion 12may rotate forward along the path as indicated by arrow R along a pivotaccess PA identified in FIG. 1A using a dashed line. The sections12A-12C of the seat portion 12 may rotate individually or together. Itis contemplated that the embodiment shown in FIG. 1A would includeindividual rotation of section 12A while sections 12B and 12C of theseat portion 12 would rotate together as a combined assembly. Any mannerof rotation of the sections 12A-12C of the seat portion 12 arecontemplated for use with the present invention. Similarly, the seatback14 includes sections 14A, 14B which may fold downward to a stowedposition when the seat portion 12 is rotated upward, thereby providingaccess to a trunk or cargo space of a vehicle. In the embodiment shownin FIG. 1A, the seat portion 12 and the seatback 14 are shown in usepositions, wherein the seat portion 12 is in a generally horizontal useposition and the seatback 14 is shown in a generally upright orsemi-reclined use position. In this way, the folding seat assembly 10 ofFIG. 1A is positioned to support one or more vehicle occupants with theseat portion 12 and seatback 14 in the use positions. Both the seatportion 12 and seatback 14 are pivotally coupled to a support surface 16which is contemplated to be part of a vehicle body.

Referring now to FIG. 1B, the seat portion 12 is shown having beenrotated from the downward use position shown in FIG. 1A, to an uprightforwardly folded stowed position. Thus, the seat portion 12 is operablebetween the use position (FIG. 1A) and the stowed position (FIG. 1B) asa seat portion 12 rotates along the pivot access PA along the path asindicated by arrow R. With the seat portion 12 in the upright stowedposition, the sections 14A, 14B of the seatback 14 can rotate forward ina direction as indicated by arrow 18 to provide for an enhanced cargooption for a vehicle. The seatback 14 is secured to the support surface16 by a plurality of brackets 15 from which the seatback 14 pivots. Withthe folding seat assembly 10 having a rotating seat portion 12, it isimportant that the sections 12A-12C of the seat portion 12 are easilymoved from the use position (FIG. 1A) to the upright stowed position(FIG. 1B) for convenience of the user. However, it is also necessary toproperly retain the seat portion 12 in the use position during an impactevent, wherein forces may act on the seat portion 12 to move the seatportion 12 from the use position towards the stowed position. Thus, theseat portion 12 shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B provides for enhanced retainingof the seat portion 12 in the use position to avoid unwanted release ormovement of the seat portion 12 when the seat portion 12 is unoccupied.

Referring now to FIG. 1C, the folding seat assembly 10 is shown with theseat portion 12 in the upright stowed position. The seat portion 12 iscoupled to the support surface 16 via a plurality of hinge assemblies20. The hinge assemblies 20 provide for hinged movement of the seatportion 12 in the direction as indicated by arrow R along the pivotaccess PA. This hinged movement is generally due to a first arm 22 beinghingedly coupled to a second arm 24, wherein the first arm 22 is furthercoupled to support surface 16, while the second arm 24 is operablycoupled to the seat portion 12. The first and second arms 22, 24 of thehinge assemblies 20 are further described below. As shown in FIG. 1C,the seat portion 12 includes two seat pans 30, 32, wherein seat pan 30support sections 12A of the seat portion 12 and seat pan 32 supportssections 12B and 12C of the seat portion 12. The seat pans 30, 32 arecoupled to cushion members 34, 36, respectively, along an upper surfaceof the seat pans 30, 32. The second arms 24 of the hinge assemblies 20are shown coupled to a lower surface of the seat pans 30, 32. The seatpans 30, 32 include mounting apertures 38 disposed therethrough whichare generally disposed adjacent to rear edges of the seat pans 30, 32,as further described below. The mounting apertures 38 are disposedthrough recessed portions 39 of the seat pans 30, 32 to provide for asubstantially flush appearance when engagement members 112 (FIGS. 8A and8B) are received in the mounting apertures 38, as further describedbelow.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the seat pan 30 of the seat portion 12 is shownhaving multiple hinge assemblies 20 coupled to a lower surface 40 of theseat pan 30. Specifically, the hinge assemblies 20 are coupled to thelower surface 40 of the seat pan 30 at second arms 24 of the hingeassemblies 20 via fasteners 43. While the image shown in FIG. 2 includesthe seat pan 30 of the seat portion 12 shown in FIGS. 1A-1C, it iscontemplated that the description of the seat pan 30 will also generallydescribe the seat pan 32 with regards to the retaining features furtherdescribed below. The seat pan 30 is shown having the lower surface 40and an upper surface 42 with front and rear perimeter edge portions 44,46 and side perimeter edge portions 48, 50. The perimeter edge portions44, 46, 48 and 50 generally surround a body portion 52 of the seat pan30 that is contoured for supporting a vehicle occupant. The mountingaperture 38 is disposed through the body portion 52 of the seat pan 30at recessed portion 39 and disposed adjacent the rear perimeter edge 46.The hinge assemblies 20 are coupled to the underside or lower surface 40of the seat pan 30 near the front perimeter edge 44 thereof. In thisway, the seat pan 30 is configured for forward rotation via the hingeassemblies 20 in a manner as described above with reference to FIGS.1A-1C. The first arms 22 of the hinge assemblies 20 are coupled to thesecond arms 24 via hinge pins 26 which generally define the pivotingaxis PA along which the seat pan 30 rotates. The second arms 24 areconfigured to couple to the support surface 16 via fasteners receivedthrough mounting apertures 28 of the first arms 22 which fixedly couplethe hinge assemblies 20 to the vehicle body at support surface 16. Asnoted above, the seat pan 30 includes retaining features that areconfigured to retain a seat portion, such as seat portion 12 describedabove, in a downwardly folded use position as shown in FIG. 1A. Thehinge assemblies 20 and the mounting aperture 38 of the seat pan 30 areconfigured to receive retaining features which are configured to retainthe seat portion 12 in a use position, yet easily allow for a user tomove the seat portion 12 to the upright stowed position shown in FIGS.1B and 1C. Thus, the retaining features described below are configuredto retain the seat portion 12 from unexpected or undesired movement whenthe seat portion 12 is unoccupied, yet the retention features aredesigned to allow a user to easily move the seat portion 12 from the useposition to the upright stowed position. The retaining features of thefolding seat assembly 10 will now be described.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a portion of the first arm 22 of a hingeassembly 20 is shown having a body portion 60. The body portion 60 isgenerally defined by first and second side members 62, 64 which areinterconnected by a central planar intermediate portion 66 to define agenerally U-shaped cross-section of the first arm 22 of the hingeassembly 20. As further shown in FIG. 3, an engagement feature 70 isshown coupled to the body portion 60 of the first arm 22. The engagementfeature 70 includes first and second legs 72, 74 which areinterconnected by an intermediate portion 76. The engagement feature 70includes angled portions 78, 80 disposed between the first and secondlegs 72, 74 and the intermediate portion 76, such that the intermediateportion 76 extends upwardly and outwardly from the body portion 60 ofthe first arm 22 of the hinge assembly 20. In this way, the engagementfeature 70 provides for an engaging portion, via the intermediateportion 76, that outwardly extends from the first arm 22 of the hingeassembly 20. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the first and secondlegs 72, 74 of the engagement feature 70 are shown coupled to the firstand second side members 62, 64 of the body portion 60 of the first arm22. It is further contemplated that any arrangement for the first andsecond legs 72, 74 of the engagement feature 70 can be used to couplethe engagement feature 70 to the body portion 60 of the first arm 22.Further, any arrangement, such as a plate, may be used to couple theengagement feature 70 to the body portion 60 of the first arm 22. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 3, the engagement feature 70 is shown in theform of a retaining bar that is constructed from a bent wire made of ametallic material, such as steel. Other materials may be contemplatedfor use with the present invention, and in the case of a metallicengagement feature, the engagement feature 70 can be welded to the firstarm 22 of the hinge assembly 20 which is also contemplated to becomprised of a steel stamped product. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3,the engagement feature 70 is contemplated to have a consistent diameterD throughout as specifically indicated at intermediate portion 76.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the second arm 24 of the hinge assembly 20 isshown coupled to the lower surface 40 of seat pan 30. The second arm 24includes first and second side members 82, 84 which are interconnectedby a generally central planar intermediate portion 86. Together, theside members 82, 84 and intermediate portion 86 define a body portion 87of the second arm 24. As further shown in FIG. 4, end portions of theside members 62, 64 of the first arm 22 are connected with end portionsof the side members 82, 84 of the second arm 24 via a hinge pin 26, suchthat the first and second arms 22, 24 are hingedly coupled to oneanother and operably between open and closed positions relative to oneanother. As further shown in FIG. 4, an engagement feature 90 is coupledto the body portion 87 of the second arm 24 at the intermediate planarportion 86 thereof via a fastener 91, which is contemplated to couplethe engagement feature 90 to the second arm 24, as well as couple thesecond arm 24 to the lower surface 40 of the seat pan 30. The engagementfeature 90 is contemplated to be a polymeric part that can be formedusing an injection molding process or other like polymeric formingtechnique. The engagement feature 90 includes a base portion 92 throughwhich fastener 91 is disposed. The engagement feature 90 furtherincludes a clip member 94 extending outwardly therefrom. The clip member94 includes first and second resilient members 96, 98 which extendoutwardly from the base portion 92. As shown in FIG. 4, the first andsecond resilient members 96, 98 of the clip member 94 are generallyspaced-apart to define a receiving recess 100 disposed therebetween. Theresilient members 96, 98 are contemplated to be flexibly resilient giventhere generally polymeric makeup. In this way, the engagement feature 70of the first arm 22 can be received in the outwardly opening clip member94 in the receiving recess 100 defined between the first and secondresilient members 96, 98. Specifically, the intermediate portion 76 ofthe engagement feature 70 of the first arm 22 is contemplated to bereceived in the receiving recess 100 of the clip member 94 as furtherdescribed below. Thus, the receiving recess includes a spacing thatcorrelates to the diameter D of the engagement feature 70 of the firstarm 22.

Referring now to FIG. 5A, a hinge assembly 20 is shown with theengagement feature 70 coupled to the first arm 22 and the engagementfeature 90 shown coupled to the second arm 24. As oriented within avehicle, the first and second arms 22, 24 may be referred to as upperand lower arms or brackets which are hingedly coupled to one another viahinge pin 26 between open and closed positions. In the embodiment shownin FIG. 5A, the hinge assembly 20 is shown in an open position withengagement features 70, 90 being spaced-apart disengaged from oneanother. As the seat pan 30 rotates downwardly towards the use position(shown in FIG. 1A), the engagement feature 90 approaches the engagementfeature 70 as the hinge assembly 20 moves from the open position shownin FIG. 5A towards the closed position, which is shown and describedbelow with regards to FIG. 6.

Thus, as shown in FIG. 5A, the hinge assembly 20 is in an open positionas the seat pan is in an upright stowed position correlating to a seatportion 12 (FIG. 1B) being in an upright stowed position. When the seatpan 30 is rotated downward in a direction as indicated by arrow R alongthe pivot access PA of the hinge assembly 20, the engagement feature 90of the second arm 24 approaches the engagement feature 70 of the firstarm 22 of the hinge assembly 20 until the engagement feature 70 of thefirst arm 22 is received in the receiving recess 100 of the engagementfeature 90 of the second arm 24. In this way, the second arm 24 is amoveable upper arm that moves with the seat pan 30 as coupled to a lowersurface 40 thereof. The first arm 22 is contemplated to be fixedlycoupled to a support surface, such as support surface 16 shown in FIG.1C, that remains stationary during the movement of the seat pan 30.Thus, as the seat pan 30 moves between use and upright stowed positions,the hinge assembly 20 moves between closed and open positions,respectively.

Referring now to FIG. 5B, the hinge assembly 20 is again shown in anopen position with the engagement features 70, 90 of the first andsecond arms 22, 24 being disengaged from one another. The engagementfeatures 70, 90 are partially shown in phantom as they are relativelyconcealed by the outwardly extending side members 64, 84 of the firstand second arms 22, 24 of the hinge assembly 20. Thus, the retainingfeatures of the hinge assembly 20 are fully integrated into the hingeassembly 20, thereby providing a simple retaining solution for the seatpan 30. As noted above, the first and second resilient members 96, 98 ofthe clip member 94 are flexibly resilient to outwardly flex in thedirection as indicated by arrow F during the engagement of theintermediate portion 76 of engagement feature 70 of the first arm 22.The rounded outer surface 77 of the intermediate portion 76 of theengagement feature 70 provides for a smooth contour for being receivedwithin the receiving recess 100 disposed between the first and secondresilient members 96, 98. Further, the clip member 94 includes roundedouter surfaces 99 on the first and second resilient members 96, 98, suchthat the intermediate portion 76 of engagement feature 70 is easilyreceived in the receiving recess 100. The curved outer surface 77 of theengagement feature 70 also facilitates a seamless urging of the firstand second members 96, 98 to their outwardly flexed positions to widenthe receiving recess 100 for full reception of the intermediate portion76 of the engagement feature 70. When the intermediate portion 76 of theengagement feature 70 is fully received in the receiving recess 100 ofthe engagement feature 90, the first and second resilient members 96, 98will resiliently snapback to an at-rest position from an outwardlyflexed position to retain the intermediate portion 76 of the engagementfeature 70 of the first arm 22 within the receiving recess 100 of theengagement feature 90 of the second arm 24. Flexing of the resilientmembers 96, 98 is contemplated to be a minimal movement given theirsemi-rigid polymeric composition. The receiving of the intermediateportion 76 within the receiving recess 100 of the clip member 94 iscontemplated to provide tactile feedback to a user that the seat pan 30has been retained by the interaction of the engagement features 70, 90of the hinge assembly 20.

Referring now to FIG. 6, the hinge assembly 20 is shown in a closedposition, with the seat pan 30 in the folded down use position. With theseat pan 30 in the folded down use position, the engagement feature 90of the second arm 24 has been brought into contact and engagement withthe engagement feature 70 of the fixed first arm 22, such that theintermediate portion 76 of the engagement feature 70 of the first arm 22has been received in the receiving recess 100 of the clip member 94 ofthe engagement feature 90 of the second arm 24. Thus, it is contemplatedthat the first and second resilient members 96, 98 have resilientlysnapped back to their at-rest position from an outwardly flexed positionin the direction as indicated by arrow F in FIG. 6. With the hingeassembly 20 disposed along a front perimeter edge 44 of the seat pan 30,the interconnection of the engagement features 70, 90 of the hingeassembly 20 will help retain the seat pan 30 in a downward use positionwhen forces may urge the seat pan 30 in an upward rotation directiontowards the stowed position as indicated by arrow R. Thus, the multiplehinge assemblies 20 of the present concept are contemplated to bespaced-apart along the front perimeter edge 44 of the seat pan 30 and itis contemplated that the multiple hinge assemblies 20, such as shown inFIGS. 1C and 2, may all include the engagement features 70, 90 disposedon the first and second arms 22, 24, respectively, thereof. Further, itis contemplated that one set of engagement features 70, 90 on a singlehinge assembly 20, may be all that is necessary to retain the seat pan30 in the downward use position, such that a dual hinge assembly, suchas shown in FIG. 2, may include the engagement features 70, 90 on asingle hinge assembly 20 while the other hinge assembly 20 does notinclude any engagement features. While the intermediate portion 76 ofthe engagement feature 70 is shown retained within the clip member 94 ofthe engagement feature 90, it is contemplated that this intermediateportion 76 is releasably retained in the clip member 94 of theengagement feature 90 of the second arm 24, such that when a userprovides an upward rotational force in the direction as indicated byarrow R on the seat pan 30, the clip member 94 will release theintermediate portion 76 of the engagement feature 70 from the receivingrecess 100 of the clip member 94. In this way, the intermediate portion76 of the engagement feature 70 of the first arm 22 of the hingeassembly 20 is releasably retained in the engagement feature 90 of thesecond arm 24 of the hinge assembly 20. Further, it will be appreciatedby one of ordinary skill in the art that the engagement features 70, 90of the first and second arms 22, 24 may also be interchanged, such thatthe engagement feature 90 is disposed on the first arm 22 and theengagement feature 70 is disposed on the second arm 24 of the hingeassembly 20. The configuration of the engagement features 70, 90 is notcritical to the retaining of the seat pan 30 as used with the hingeassembly 20, so long as the engagement features 70, 90 are disposed onopposite arms 22, 24 of the hinge assembly for releasably connecting oneengagement feature to the other.

Referring now to FIG. 7, the seatback 14 is shown having the multiplebrackets 15 coupled thereto, wherein the multiple brackets 15 arefurther coupled to the support surface 16 which may include a vehiclebody or floorboard. As shown in FIG. 7, each one of the brackets 15 ofthe seatback 14 includes an engagement feature 110 which upwardlyextends from the bracket 15. Thus, with the brackets 15 coupled to thesupport surface 16, the engagement features 110 upwardly extend from thesupport surface 16 and are fixedly coupled thereto. The engagementfeatures 110 of the seatback 14 are used to further retain the seat pan30 in a downwardly folded use position, such as the configuration of theseat portion 12 shown in FIG. 1A. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, theengagement features 110 are shown in the form of hook members which maybe formed from a bar having a rounded outer surface, as furtherdescribed below.

Referring now to FIGS. 8A and 8B, an engagement member 112 is shownwhich is configured to be coupled to the seat pan 30 at the mountingaperture 38 thereof. In the configuration of the folding seat assembly10 shown in FIG. 1C, it is contemplated that an engagement member 112,as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, would be received in the mounting apertures38 disposed through the seat pans 30, 32, such that a folding seatassembly, such as folding seat assembly 10, may include multipleengagement members 112 to be used in conjunction with them multipleengagement features 110 of the seatback 14.

With specific reference to FIG. 8A, the engagement member 112 includes aframe portion 114 which is generally defined by first and second sidemembers 116, 118 which are interconnected by a rear cross member 120. Inthis way, the frame portion 114 is a non-continuous frame portion havinga relief portion 122 disposed between the first and second side members116, 118. The frame portion 114 includes an outer surface 124, and theframe portion 114 generally defines a receiving aperture 130 disposedbetween the first and second side members 116, 118. As further shown inFIG. 8A, the engagement member 112 further includes first and secondsidewalls 132, 134 which outwardly extend from the frame portion 114.Each of the sidewalls 132, 134 includes an inwardly extending tab 136,138, respectively. Specifically, the tabs 136, 138 define first andsecond opposed tabs which inwardly extend into the receiving aperture130 of the engagement member 112 by extending laterally from innersurfaces 132A, 134A of the first and second sidewalls 132, 134 into thereceiving aperture 130. As shown in FIG. 8A, the first and second tabs136, 138 include upwardly angled lower surfaces 140, 142, respectively.The first and second tabs 136, 138 also include downwardly angled uppersurfaces 144, 146, respectively, as best shown in FIG. 8B. With theangled surfaces 140, 142, 144, 146, the first and second tabs 136, 138are configured to urge the sidewalls 132, 134 towards outwardly flexedpositions as indicated by arrows F as an engagement feature, such asengagement feature 110 shown in FIG. 7, is received in the receivingaperture 130 of the engagement member 112. In this way, the first andsecond sidewalls 132, 134 are contemplated to be flexibly resilient formovement between at-rest and outwardly flexed positions when theengagement feature 110 is received in the receiving aperture 130.

With specific reference to FIG. 8B, the first and second sidewalls 132,134 further include outer surfaces 132B, 134B having one or morereinforcement ribs 148 disposed thereon, as well as one or more clipfeatures 150. In assembly, the clip features 150 are used to clip andretain the engagement member 112 to the mounting aperture 38 of anassociated seat pan, such as seat pan 30 or 32 described above. Asfurther shown in FIG. 8B, the frame portion 114 of the engagement member112 includes an inner surface 125 having standoff features 152 disposedon the first and second side members 116, 118 to provide a snug-fit ofthe engagement member 112 with the seat pan 30. Further, the first andsecond sidewalls 132, 134 include relief channels 154 which are disposedaround the clip features 150 of the first and second sidewalls 132, 134.In this way, the clip features 150 can inwardly flex as the engagementmember 112 is received in the mounting aperture 38 of a seat pan 30.

Referring now to FIG. 9, the seat pan 30 is shown with the engagementmember 112 mounted to the mounting aperture 38 of the seat pan 30. Withthe engagement member 112 coupled to the seat pan 30 at mountingaperture 38, the inner surface 125 of the frame portion 114 of theengagement member 112 abuts the lower surface 40 of the seat pan 30.Specifically, the frame portion 114 of the engagement member 112 isdisposed within the recessed portion 39 of the seat pan 30, such thatthe engagement member 112 is substantially flush with the lower surface40 of the seat pan 30. As further shown in FIG. 9, the receivingaperture 130 of the engagement member 112 is aligned with the mountingaperture 38 of the seat pan 30, such that an engagement feature, such asengagement feature 110 described above, can be received through the seatpan 30 to engage first and second tabs 136, 138 (FIG. 8A) of theengagement member 112.

Referring now to FIG. 10, the seat pan 30 is shown from a topperspective view with the cushion material removed from the uppersurface 42. With the cushion material removed from the upper surface 42,the engagement member 112 can be seen extending through the mountingaperture 38 of the seat pan 30. Specifically, the first and secondsidewalls 132, 134 are shown extending upwardly through the mountingaperture 38 of the seat pan 30, and retained in this position by theclip features 150 engaging the perimeter portions of the mountingaperture 38. As further shown in FIG. 10, the engagement feature 110 isshown received in the receiving aperture 130 disposed between the firstand second sidewalls 132, 134 of the engagement member 112. With theengagement feature 110 clipped to the engagement member 112, the seatpan 30 is generally retained in a folded down use position by theinteraction between the engagement feature 110 being received in thereceiving aperture 130 of the engagement member 112. Specifically, theengagement feature 110 is retained by the inwardly extending tabs 136,138 when the seat pan 30 is in the downwardly folded use position. Thisengagement is contemplated to be a releasable engagement between theengagement feature 110 and the engagement member 112, such that a usermay release the engagement of the engagement feature 110 from theengagement member 112 by providing an upward force on the seat pan 30 tomove the seat pan 30 from the use position (FIG. 1A) to the uprightstowed position (FIG. 1B).

Referring now to FIG. 11, a cross-sectional view of the seat portion 12shows the interaction between the engagement features 110 and theengagement member 112 with the seat portion 12 in the use position. Asspecifically shown in FIG. 11, the seat pan 30 is in the downwardlyfolded use position, such that the engagement feature 110 is receivedand retained within the receiving aperture 130 of the engagement member112. The curved outer surface 111 of the engagement feature 110 is shownengaged with upper angled surfaces 144, 146 of the first and second tabs136, 138 of the engagement member 112. The frame portion 114 of theengagement member 112 is shown seated within the recessed portion 39 ofthe seat pan 30, such that the engagement member 112 provides for agenerally flush configuration relative to the lower surface 40 of theseat pan 30. As further shown in FIG. 11, the seat pan 30 includes acushioned portion 34 coupled to the upper surface 42 thereof. Thecushioned portion 34 includes a lower surface 34A and an upper surface34C. The upper surface 34C is contemplated to support a vehicle occupanton the seat portion 12 when the seat portion 12 is in the use position.As further shown in FIG. 11, the cushioned member 34 includes a recess34B disposed over the mounting aperture 38 of the seat pan 30 inassembly. In this way, the portion of the engagement member 112extending through the mounting aperture 38 of the seat pan 30 isreceived in the recess 34B of the cushion member 34, such that thecushion member 34 does not interfere with the interaction of theengagement member 112 and engagement feature 110.

It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art thatconstruction of the described invention and other components is notlimited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of theinvention disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety ofmaterials, unless described otherwise herein.

For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” (in all of itsforms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining oftwo components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to oneanother. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature.Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical ormechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrallyformed as a single unitary body with one another or with the twocomponents. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removableor releasable in nature unless otherwise stated.

It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement ofthe elements of the invention as shown in the exemplary embodiments isillustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the presentinnovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, thoseskilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciatethat many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes,dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements,values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors,orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novelteachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example,elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple partsor elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, theoperation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, thelength or width of the structures and/or members or connector or otherelements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustmentpositions provided between the elements may be varied. It should benoted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may beconstructed from any of a wide variety of materials that providesufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors,textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications areintended to be included within the scope of the present innovations.Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be madein the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the desired andother exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of thepresent innovations.

It will be understood that any described processes or steps withindescribed processes may be combined with other disclosed processes orsteps to form structures within the scope of the present invention. Theexemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrativepurposes and are not to be construed as limiting.

It is also to be understood that variations and modifications can bemade on the aforementioned structures and methods without departing fromthe concepts of the present invention, and further it is to beunderstood that such concepts are intended to be covered by thefollowing claims unless these claims by their language expressly stateotherwise.

It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art thatconstruction of the described invention and other components is notlimited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of theinvention disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety ofmaterials, unless described otherwise herein.

For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” (in all of itsforms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining oftwo components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to oneanother. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature.Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical ormechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrallyformed as a single unitary body with one another or with the twocomponents. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removableor releasable in nature unless otherwise stated.

It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement ofthe elements of the invention as shown in the exemplary embodiments isillustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the presentinnovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, thoseskilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciatethat many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes,dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements,values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors,orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novelteachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example,elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple partsor elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, theoperation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, thelength or width of the structures and/or members or connector or otherelements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustmentpositions provided between the elements may be varied. It should benoted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may beconstructed from any of a wide variety of materials that providesufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors,textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications areintended to be included within the scope of the present innovations.Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be madein the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the desired andother exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of thepresent innovations.

It will be understood that any described processes or steps withindescribed processes may be combined with other disclosed processes orsteps to form structures within the scope of the present invention. Theexemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrativepurposes and are not to be construed as limiting.

It is also to be understood that variations and modifications can bemade on the aforementioned structures and methods without departing fromthe concepts of the present invention, and further it is to beunderstood that such concepts are intended to be covered by thefollowing claims unless these claims by their language expressly stateotherwise.

What is claimed is:
 1. A hinge assembly, comprising: first and secondarms hingedly coupled to one another between open and closed positions;an engagement feature disposed on the first arm and outwardly extendingtherefrom; and an engagement feature disposed on the second arm, whereinthe engagement feature of the first arm is received and releasablyretained in the engagement feature of the second arm when the first andsecond arms are in the closed position.
 2. The hinge assembly of claim1, wherein the engagement feature of the first arm is released from theengagement feature of the second arm when the first and second arms movefrom the closed position to the open position.
 3. The hinge assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the engagement feature of the first arm includes aretaining bar.
 4. The hinge assembly of claim 3, wherein the engagementfeature of the second arm includes a clip member.
 5. The hinge assemblyof claim 4, wherein the clip member includes a base portion mounted to abody portion of the second arm.
 6. The hinge assembly of claim 5,wherein the clip member further includes first and second resilientmembers extending outwardly from the base portion, wherein the first andsecond resilient members include a receiving recess disposedtherebetween.
 7. The hinge assembly of claim 6, wherein a portion of theretaining bar of the first arm is received in the receiving recessbetween the first and second resilient members of the clip member and isreleasably retained therein by the first and second resilient memberswhen the first and second arms are in the closed position.
 8. A hingeassembly, comprising: a first arm having a retaining bar; a second armoperably coupled to the first arm and operable between open and closedpositions relative to the first arm; and a clip member coupled to thesecond arm for movement therewith, wherein the clip member moves towardsand releasably receives the retaining bar of the first arm as the secondarm moves to the closed position from the open position.
 9. The hingeassembly of claim 8, wherein second arm includes a body portion having aplanar portion.
 10. The hinge assembly of claim 9, wherein the clipmember is disposed on a base portion mounted to the planar portion ofthe second arm.
 11. The hinge assembly of claim 10, wherein the clipmember is defined by first and second resilient members extendingoutwardly from the base portion.
 12. The hinge assembly of claim 11,including: a receiving recess defined between the first and secondresilient members, wherein the first and second resilient members areoperable between at-rest and outwardly flexed positions, and furtherwherein the receiving recess is larger when the first and secondresilient members are in the outwardly flexed position as compared towhen the first and second resilient members are in the at-rest position.13. The hinge assembly of claim 12, wherein the first arm includes abody portion having a generally planar central portion with outwardlyextending side members disposed on opposite sides thereof.
 14. The hingeassembly of claim 13, wherein the retaining bar includes first andsecond legs interconnected by an intermediate portion, wherein the firstand second legs are coupled to the outwardly extending side members ofthe first arm.
 15. A hinge assembly for a folding vehicle seat,comprising: upper and lower arms pivotally coupled to one anotherbetween open and closed positions, wherein the lower arm is fixedlycoupled to a support surface, and further wherein the upper arm isfixedly coupled to a seat pan; a retaining bar disposed on the lower armand outwardly extending therefrom; and an outwardly opening clip memberdisposed on the upper arm, wherein the clip member releasably receives aportion of the retaining bar of the lower arm when the upper and lowerarms are in the closed position.
 16. The hinge assembly of claim 15,wherein the support surface includes a vehicle body.
 17. The hingeassembly of claim 16, wherein the upper arm is coupled to a lowersurface of the seat pan at a front portion thereof.
 18. The hingeassembly of claim 15, wherein the seat pan is operable between stowedand use positions, and further wherein the seat pan is in the useposition when the upper and lower arms are in the closed position. 19.The hinge assembly of claim 18, wherein the seat pan is releasablyretained in the use position by an interconnection between the retainingbar and clip member when the upper and lower arms are in the closedposition.
 20. The hinge assembly of claim 18, wherein the upper andlower arms each include a body portion having a central portion withupwardly extending side members disposed on opposite sides thereof, andfurther wherein the upper and lower arms are pivotally coupled to oneanother at the upwardly extending side members by a hinge pin, andfurther wherein the retaining bar is disposed on the central portion ofthe lower arm, and the clip member is disposed on the central portion ofthe upper arm.